The Housing Coordinator will contribute to all aspects of the above vision through a combination of direct responsibilities and special projects which supports the City’s housing and economic development strategies. This position will organize, expand, and implement income aligned policy and programs recommendations, and manage related project activities to meet the City’s priorities and strategic objectives.
This position will manage and participate in the analysis of current local, state, and federal housing related mandates, regulations, procedures, funding sources, and program evaluation performance standards and metrics. In addition, the housing coordinator will research and identify government and private funding opportunities and oversee grant writing activities or other application processes. The Housing Coordinator will consult with City leadership, staff, and community stakeholders on matters related to housing policy and strategy and represent the City at meetings and community events as directed. Assist the department with activities related to procurement, contracts, and programs oversight. This position also provides support on related activities for the CDBG and HOME programs.
In order to be considered for this position, in addition to our online employment application, a cover letter (maximum two (2) pages) that outlines how your experience relates to the job description, and a resume (maximum two (2) pages) are required to be attached to your online application, at the time of application submittal, before the closing deadline. The totality of education and experience will be considered for this position.
The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage, and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.
The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – People – Integrity – Respect – Innovation – Teamwork).
This position supports the goals of the Community Services Department, which attracts, plans, buildings, preserves and retains an attractive and high-quality living and working environment by facilitating job creation, balanced housing, redevelopment, sustainability, appropriate land use and infrastructure decisions ensuring that the community is developed in a safe, aesthetically pleasing and maintainable manner.
Every employee is accountable to:- Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
- Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied, and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
- Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
- Exhibit pride in self, the department, the City, and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
- Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty, and ethical behavior
- Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
- Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility, and take calculated risks when appropriate
- Participate in personal growth opportunities, and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
- Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
- Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
- Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity, and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences
GENERAL COMPETENCIESCitywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:- Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
- Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses, and target areas for personal self-development
- Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
- Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
- Achieve goals, and handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
- Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
- Demonstrate accountability for work, and take ownership in job performance
- Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, specifically in regard to CDBG and HOME
- Strong public meeting facilitation skills
- Provide technical assistance regarding HUD requirements to City departments, stakeholders, and boards and commissions
- Interpret, explain, and apply complex affordable housing and federal rules, regulations, policies, laws, and ordinances
- Establish, prioritize, and implement goals, objectives, policies, and work standards
- Work on several projects simultaneously and adapt quickly to changing priorities
- Think creatively and take the initiative in planning and implementing assigned projects
- Effectively represent the interests of the City in meetings with public agencies, the development community, or others outside the City
- Understand development-related regulations, public administration principles, practices, and methods of administrative and organizational analysis
- Exercise sound, independent judgement within established guidelines
- Prepare clear and concise management-level reports and correspondence
- Assemble, organize and present in oral or written form the statistical, financial, and factual information derived from a variety of sources
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and others contacted in the course of the work
- Display a professional demeanor at all times
- Work as part of a team as well as independently
- Work collaboratively with internal departments and external partners
- Demonstrate strong research and analytical skills
- Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
Leadership – Every employee in this position is accountable to:- Foster a participatory organizational climate that is open, positive, reinforcing, and supportive
- Encourage employees to be accountable for their work and take ownership in what they do
- Demonstrate leadership and courage by making or supporting decisions that reflect the organizational mission and goals even when the decision may be unpopular to some
- Demonstrate collaboration and conflict resolution skills with other departments and employees
Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities, and Tasks- Develops, plans, research, and organizes housing policy recommendations, planning activities, housing programs and related research to meet the City of Westminster’s strategic priorities related to housing
- Develops, plans, organizes community outreach on and around the topic of housing and federal programs
- Provides technical assistance to City leadership, staff, task forces, citizen advisory groups, and community stakeholders on matters related to affordable housing policy and strategy and related programs and initiatives
- Participates in the development of housing policy documents and community economic development documents to include: CDBG Consolidated Plan, CDBG Annual Action Plan, CAPER, other federally mandated reports, studies, and other communications related to the department’s initiatives. Prepares periodic progress and special reports related to program development and activities
- Develops and implements outreach activities including public hearings, educational forums and programs, stakeholder meetings, and presentations
- Researches and identifies new government and private funding prospects and oversees grant writing activities responsive to departmental needs
- Assists in the development of the HOME and CDBG budgets and activities
- Represents the City at meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional, the development community, business and community organizations, and the public
- Maintains regular and punctual attendance
Other Duties and ResponsibilitiesIncumbent is accountable for all duties of this job, and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion.
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses, and CertificationsRequired:- Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Planning, Economic Development, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, or closely related field
- Three (3) or more years of professional experience in local government and/or economic development, and/or housing in the private sector or non-profits
- Three (3) or more years of experience involving the development and coordination of housing initiatives and analysis of housing policies
- Two (2) or more years of experience managing highly visible programs or projects
- Experience with public engagement, community outreach, and public speaking
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office
Preferred:- Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Planning, Economic Development, Urban Studies, Urban Planning, or closely related field
- Experience in administering HUD Programs, specifically CDBG and HOME
- Experience with managing contracts
- Bilingual proficiency English/Spanish or Hmong
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical RequirementsWork is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:
- Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
- Frequent squatting, reaching above shoulder, and twisting to file documents and lift supplies and material; occasional bending, kneeling, climbing, balancing, and reaching below shoulder to store documents, material, and supplies
- Constant light grasp, fine manipulation, and handling to perform daily duties; occasional firm grasp to safely use equipment
- Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing and/or pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting and pushing and/or pulling of up to 25 pounds with dollies and carts
WORKING CONDITIONSWork is generally performed indoors and is primarily office work. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with City employees, the public, and outside agencies and may require local travel to off-site public meetings or events.
Required Materials and EquipmentGeneral office equipment including personal computers, telephone, cellular phone, copy machine and calculator. May operate a motor vehicle to visit project sites.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS- Background checks will include employment references and criminal history, and when applicable, credit check, driver license record, and education verification
- Drug screen
- Must be legally entitled to work in the United States
